Opinion

Vladimir Putin has revived the oldest land dispute with his visit to Iturup, one of the four disputed islands in the Kuriles chain. The islands are the Northern Territories for Japan, the Southern Kurils for Russia. Putin’s visit was not simply a domestic tour, but a very public declaration of a Russian state of affairs. At the conclusion of World …

The expanded BRICS enters 2026 with greater economic weight but also greater internal complexity. For India as chair of the group, it is not just about expanding the membership of BRICS but about expanding them as members. To be useful to businesses, investors, and developing economies is implemented. That demands not only finding alternatives to the US dollar, but also …

The round-the-clock turmoil in the Strait of Hormuz has demonstrated the fragility of energy markets to choke points in the sea. European prices for liquefied natural gas have jumped since supplies from the Middle East have been constrained and Asian buyers turned to other regions as well. The Azerbaijan strategic significance comes from there. The significance that Azerbaijan can move …

The upcoming 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi from 12 to 13 September 2026 is not just another diplomatic meeting as the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to attend. Known by Indian PM Narendra Modi himself, Marcos will use this summit to highlight the Philippines’ priorities as Chair of ASEAN in 2026, while having a direct …

History has shown, a military victory doesn’t automatically mean the same result politically, when superior weaponry is deployed. Conventionally strong forces have repeatedly foundered in their battles against insurgent opponents that possessed little military strength but possessed the greater strategic sensibility and ability to be patient and to rely on local support and political endurance. This is the Asymmetry Paradox. …

The strategic importance of electricity in Canada is being reconsidered. In place of seeing clean energy as a supply for distant markets, Ottawa and provincial investors are becoming more interested in the potential for significant domestic industrial development from strong hydro and nuclear generation. This is part of the Repricing US Power initiative aimed at enhancing energy sovereignty and fostering …

Vietnam is concentrating on finding solutions by putting its focus on leasing foreign assets. The focus of this approach is “Viet Kieu“, or the overseas Vietnamese population, with which Hanoi hopes to establish strategic partnership instead of the traditional remittance economy. The shift is registered in Politburo Resolution 23-NQ/TW, which emphasizes greater capital contribution, business network and international expertise ability …

Indonesia’s foreign policy is about to face more challenging times with President Prabowo Subianto. The Bebas-Aktif principle (“Free and Active”) was created to ensure Jakarta’s autonomy and to ensure that it is able to reach out to all major powers. But today, it is becoming harder to balance arms between the great powers. The concept of ‘rowing between two reefs’ …

The environmental aspect of climate change was the only point that most people considered until now. An incomplete description all over Asia and the Pacific. Global climate change, with its associated rise of temperature, greater climate disruptions and dizzying climate extremes, are hitting the pillars of economic growth more than ever. The region not only is one of the world’s …

Washington and Beijing are no longer just in a technology race for AI, but in a truly serious competition. From economic productivity to military power, semiconductor supply chains to standards that will drive the operation of digital systems around the world, AI has permeated so many aspects of our lives that we can no longer imagine living without it. It …